Volaris Celebrates Nonstop Flights from Dulles to El Salvador and Costa Rica

Washington Dulles International Airport and Volaris Costa Rica celebrated the Washington, D.C., region’s first low-fare service to El Salvador and Costa Rica May 17, with delegations from the Embassies of El Salvador and Costa Rica, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia.

"We are proud to celebrate the launch of a new direct international flight to Virginia and our nation's capital region—these direct flights will take tourism, trade and economic development between the Commonwealth and Central America to new heights,” said Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. “We look forward to the opportunity for countries on both sides to increase connections and strengthen our important relationships."

The carrier’s service launch at Dulles International unites more communities in Central America with the eastern United States — bringing family, friends and entrepreneurs from both regions closer together.

“These flights represent new opportunities to connect families and cultures, to welcome more visitors and commerce opportunities to the District, and to build on the strong international ties we have built over the years,” said District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Today, we celebrate the start of a new connection between our nation’s capital and El Salvador’s—one that is going to benefit thousands of District residents.”

Operated by Volaris Costa Rica, the route originates in San José, Costa Rica, with same-plane service to the Washington, D.C., region via San Salvador, El Salvador, on Mondays and Wednesdays. Flights originating in the United States will depart for San José via San Salvador on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“The National Capital Region is home to the second largest population of Salvadoran immigrants in the United States, making San Salvador the region’s fifth largest market for origin and destination travel,” according to Jerome L. Davis, executive vice president and chief revenue officer for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. “As the region’s gateway to the world, Dulles International is proud to add Volaris as its first international low-cost carrier—and the region’s first serving Central America.”

With base fares as low as $150 (USD) one-way, Volaris extends air travel to a new segment of the Latino community in Washington, D.C., and Virginia, while making the region’s air service diversity more inclusive, particularly for price sensitive customers.

"We are very pleased to inaugurate another route from Central America this year, as we had announced. Having a Volaris Costa Rica station in the U.S. capital region opens up new horizons and strengthens our commitment to offer competitive rates to new destinations," said Fernando Naranjo, General Manager of Volaris Costa Rica. "We are confident that the exchange between the large Central American community that resides in both Washington, D.C., and Virginia, will increase considerably and they can also enjoy the tourist and cultural attractions of the area."

"Virginia offers a wealth of tourism offerings, many just minutes from the gates of Dulles International airport," said Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax. "From historic and cultural attractions to our beautiful mountains and beaches, travelers from Central America, whether visiting for business or pleasure, will quickly discover why we say Virginia is for lovers of life."

The new route expands Volaris Costa Rica service to three U.S. destinations—following recent launches to Los Angeles (from San José, via San Salvador or Guatemala) and to New York (from San José, via San Salvador).

“The arrival of Volaris is a testament to the strength of the D.C.-area market and our robust regional economy,” said Yil Surehan, vice president of airline business development for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. “With significant operations in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, we are confident that their launch and success at Dulles International is the first step in the long-term growth of low-cost service to Latin America.”